Pineapple

 

Pineapple is high in vitamin C, B6, B1, copper, manganese, folate and fiber.  And it is low in calories- just 82 per cup.

 

From The world's healthiest Foods:  "Pineapples are a composite of many flowers whose individual fruitlets fuse together around a central core. Each fruitlet can be identified by an "eye," the rough spiny marking on the pineapple's surface. Pineapples have a wide cylindrical shape, a scaly green, brown or yellow skin and a regal crown of spiny, blue-green leaves and fibrous yellow flesh. The area closer to the base of the fruit has more sugar content and therefore a sweeter taste and more tender texture."

 

I bought a lot of pineapple on sale in June and put it in my freezer.  I have found that if I defrost it in the microwave for a few minutes I can use it in recipes where I would use fresh pineapple.  Sorry folks, I just can't tolerate canned pineapple.  Fresh or frozen for me.

 

Pineapple is versatile and can be used in sweet or savory dishes.  I really like grilled pineapple with a scoop of SoDelicious vanilla frozen desert  (I call it ice cream, but a friend has reminded that it contains no cream and therefore is not ice cream.)

 

Today I made a fruit crisp with pineapple.  You can really substitute any fruit you like.

 

Pineapple Crisp

 

 

 

Filling:

2 cups chopped fresh or frozen pineapple

1 tablespoon evaporated cane juice

1 tablespoon unbleached all-purpose flour

 

Topping:

1/2 cups regular oats

2 tablespoons evaporated cane juice

2 tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon Earth Balance vegan margarine

about 1/8 teaspoon fresh grated nutmeg

 

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.  Place 4  3" to 3.5" ramekins on a baking sheet and coat with spray oil.

 

Mix together the filling ingredients and divide among the ramekins.

 

Mix together the toppings ingredients with your hands, rubbing in the margarine until the mixture is crumbly.

Divide among the ramekins.

 

Bake for 40-45 minutes until bubbly and beginning to brown.  Remove from oven and cool for about 15-20 minutes.  Enjoy!

 

Makes 4 servings with 159 calories each